Interlink Lock Mechanism for Multi-Drawer Furniture Stability Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-layered drawer furniture often experiences instability and risk of tipping when multiple drawers are pulled open simultaneously, due to the lack of an effective interlink lock mechanism.

Innovation Solution

An interlink lock mechanism featuring a track seat with self-locking adjustment assemblies, including connecting rods, opening blocks, and functional blocks, which prevent multiple drawers from being drawn out at the same time by allowing only one drawer to be opened.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple drawers are allowed to be pulled out simultaneously for ease of access, then the usability is improved, but the cabinet stability deteriorates and may topple

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrawer accessibilityVSAvoidcabinet stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The interlink lock mechanism applies preliminary anti-action by preventing the harmful action (simultaneous drawer opening) before it can occur. The mechanism uses opening blocks that are initially positioned to block the drive members of adjacent drawers, creating a preventive lock that stops multiple drawers from being opened at the same time, thus maintaining cabinet stability while still allowing individual drawer access

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Stability of the object's composition

If an interlink lock mechanism is added to prevent simultaneous drawer opening, then the cabinet stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecabinet stabilityVSAvoidlock mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interlink lock mechanism is segmented into independent modular units, each consisting of opening blocks, functional blocks, and connecting rods that can be individually assembled. Each module handles the interlocking for specific drawer pairs, allowing the complex function to be distributed across multiple simple, identical components rather than requiring a single complex mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The opening blocks serve as intermediary elements that mediate between the drive members of adjacent drawers. These blocks translate the opening motion of one drawer into a blocking action for adjacent drawers, providing a simple mechanical intermediary that achieves the interlocking function without complex control systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the gap between fixing assemblies is reduced to allow only one opening block entry, then the simultaneous opening prevention is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimultaneous opening preventionVSAvoidgap dimension precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanism uses dynamic self-adjustment through the rotatable opening blocks and movable functional blocks. The opening blocks can rotate to engage or disengage from the gap between fixing assemblies, and the functional blocks can move along the track seat to accommodate variations in gap dimensions, transforming a static precision requirement into a dynamic adaptive system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If self-locking adjustment assemblies are added to adjust the distance between functional blocks, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrawer spacing adjustmentVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The self-locking adjustment assemblies utilize the opening motion of drawers to automatically adjust the positions of functional blocks along the track seat. When a drawer is opened, the drive member pushes the opening block, which through the connecting rod mechanism, automatically moves the functional blocks to the appropriate positions, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while providing adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250072604A1Interlink lock mechanism for multi-layered drawer furniture
Publication Date: 2025.03.06 HU HUA METAL PROD
  • US20250072604A1 patent drawing
  • US20250072604A1 patent drawing
  • US20250072604A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed is an interlink lock mechanism for multi-layered drawer furniture. A cabinet is provided with the interlink lock mechanism, and the interlink lock mechanism includes a track seat, two fixing assemblies, and a plurality of self-locking adjustment assemblies. Each of the self-locking adjustment assemblies includes a connecting rod, an opening block, and two functional blocks, where a gap between the two fixing assemblies can allow only one opening block to rotatably enter between the two functional blocks or between the functional block and the fixing block. According to the present application, two or more drawers of the cabinet can be prevented from being drawn out at the same time.